Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation
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Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation
Policy S/JH: New jobs and homes
Representation ID: 202309
Received: 28/01/2026
Respondent: CALA Group Ltd
Agent: Lanpro Services
Legally compliant? Yes
Sound? No
Duty to co-operate? Yes
The total number of dwellings that the Councils calculate will be provided across the emerging Plan Period is greater than the standard method, which is supported. However, the potential for additional growth to support the ambitions of the Cambridge Growth Company and by extension, the Government, should be incorporated into the draft Local Plan as a material consideration. Therefore, Policy S/JH should be revised to incorporate the additional growth ambition of the Cambridge Growth Company, updating the housing‑need calculation accordingly.
Revise calculation of housing need to take into account Government ambitions for Greater Cambridge, including the creation of and funding for the Cambridge Growth Company.
This draft policy sets out the proposed housing growth for the Councils across the emerging Plan Period. It seeks to provide a minimum of 48,195 new homes of all mixes and tenures.
The Government’s updated standard methodology for Greater Cambridge is 2,309 dwellings per annum (1,135 in Cambridge City and 1,174 in South Cambridgeshire).
It is noted that the number of dwellings per annum being provided by Greater Cambridge is 2,295, which is slightly fewer than the standard method. However, the draft Local Plan acknowledge that the total supply set out in Table 4 is 55,278 dwellings, which is from the current supply and new sites, including North East Cambridge. Therefore, the total number of dwellings that the Councils calculate will be provided across the emerging Plan Period is greater than the standard method, which our client supports.
However, it is considered that there may be potential for additional growth across Greater Cambridge. Both the previous and the current Governments recognised the potential of Cambridge to support national growth. The Government has set up the Cambridge Growth Company whose job is to work with local stakeholders to deliver “high quality sustainable growth in Cambridge and its environs .” Significant funding has been provided to the Cambridge Growth Company to enable and shape this growth.
The potential for additional growth to support the ambitions of the Cambridge Growth Company and by extension, the Government, should be incorporated into the draft Local Plan as a material consideration.
Development of the site at Valley Farm, Meldreth would support both the existing growth set out in the emerging Local Plan and any additional growth that is identified by the Cambridge Growth Company.
Comment
Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation
Policy S/RRA: Other site allocations in the rest of the rural area
Representation ID: 211089
Received: 28/01/2026
Respondent: CALA Group Ltd
Agent: Lanpro Services
These representations are accompanied by the submission of Land to the west of Water Lane, Melbourn, Cambridgeshire (HELAA Reference 40274) for consideration as an allocation within the Greater Cambridge Local Plan.
Alongside the two already proposed allocation sites, the Site could provide additional housing to support sustainable growth of the settlement, which contributes towards the Councils’ overall housing needs as well as providing an opportunity for the village to grow and thrive by supporting local services.
This draft policy sets out the proposed housing growth for the Councils across the emerging Plan Period. It seeks to provide a minimum of 48,195 new homes of all mixes and tenures.
The Government’s updated standard methodology for Greater Cambridge is 2,309 dwellings per annum (1,135 in Cambridge City and 1,174 in South Cambridgeshire).
It is noted that the number of dwellings per annum being provided by Greater Cambridge is 2,295, which is slightly fewer than the standard method. However, the draft Local Plan acknowledge that the total supply set out in Table 4 is 55,278 dwellings, which is from the current supply and new sites, including North East Cambridge. Therefore, the total number of dwellings that the Councils calculate will be provided across the emerging Plan Period is greater than the standard method, which our client supports.
However, it is considered that there may be potential for additional growth across Greater Cambridge. Both the previous and the current Governments recognised the potential of Cambridge to support national growth. The Government has set up the Cambridge Growth Company whose job is to work with local stakeholders to deliver “high quality sustainable growth in Cambridge and its environs .” Significant funding has been provided to the Cambridge Growth Company to enable and shape this growth.
The potential for additional growth to support the ambitions of the Cambridge Growth Company and by extension, the Government, should be incorporated into the draft Local Plan as a material consideration.
Development of the site at Valley Farm, Meldreth would support both the existing growth set out in the emerging Local Plan and any additional growth that is identified by the Cambridge Growth Company.
Comment
Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation
Policy S/DS: Development strategy
Representation ID: 211410
Received: 28/01/2026
Respondent: CALA Group Ltd
Agent: Lanpro Services
The Development Strategy is so reliant on high levels of housing delivery in major strategic sites that risk local housing needs not being met over the Local Plan period. The Housing Trajectory is based on over-optimistic delivery rates for strategic sites, well above historic rates, and is not credible. The draft Local Plan is reliant on new settlement sites delivering 350 dwellings per annum, but it is considered that a more realistic delivery rate would be 200 dwellings per annum.
Revise housing trajectory with realistic figures for delivery on major sites.
This draft policy sets out the proposed housing growth for the Councils across the emerging Plan Period. It seeks to provide a minimum of 48,195 new homes of all mixes and tenures.
The Government’s updated standard methodology for Greater Cambridge is 2,309 dwellings per annum (1,135 in Cambridge City and 1,174 in South Cambridgeshire).
It is noted that the number of dwellings per annum being provided by Greater Cambridge is 2,295, which is slightly fewer than the standard method. However, the draft Local Plan acknowledge that the total supply set out in Table 4 is 55,278 dwellings, which is from the current supply and new sites, including North East Cambridge. Therefore, the total number of dwellings that the Councils calculate will be provided across the emerging Plan Period is greater than the standard method, which our client supports.
However, it is considered that there may be potential for additional growth across Greater Cambridge. Both the previous and the current Governments recognised the potential of Cambridge to support national growth. The Government has set up the Cambridge Growth Company whose job is to work with local stakeholders to deliver “high quality sustainable growth in Cambridge and its environs .” Significant funding has been provided to the Cambridge Growth Company to enable and shape this growth.
The potential for additional growth to support the ambitions of the Cambridge Growth Company and by extension, the Government, should be incorporated into the draft Local Plan as a material consideration.
Development of the site at Valley Farm, Meldreth would support both the existing growth set out in the emerging Local Plan and any additional growth that is identified by the Cambridge Growth Company.
Comment
Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation
Policy S/DS: Development strategy
Representation ID: 211411
Received: 28/01/2026
Respondent: CALA Group Ltd
Agent: Lanpro Services
We do not consider that the delivery rates for these North East Cambridge, Cambridge East, Cambourne North, or Grange Farm are realistic, particularly the settlements that are yet to have been granted planning permission.
The current housing trajectory figures are overly ambitious for new settlements. There would be a reduction in 3,000 homes across the Plan Period which would not be delivered on new settlements. The Councils’ housing trajectory is also reliant on the new settlements delivering 350 dwellings per annum. This is equivalent to seven plots delivering 50 dwellings per annum, by several housebuilders. Our evidence demonstrates that none of these new settlements achieved, on average, 350 dwellings per annum.
In order to meet this shortfall, the Councils should focus on providing smaller and medium sized sites in and adjoining existing settlements, especially ones that have a
number of services and facilities, such as Melbourn.
Allocate additional smaller sites in the Local Plan.
This draft policy sets out the proposed housing growth for the Councils across the emerging Plan Period. It seeks to provide a minimum of 48,195 new homes of all mixes and tenures.
The Government’s updated standard methodology for Greater Cambridge is 2,309 dwellings per annum (1,135 in Cambridge City and 1,174 in South Cambridgeshire).
It is noted that the number of dwellings per annum being provided by Greater Cambridge is 2,295, which is slightly fewer than the standard method. However, the draft Local Plan acknowledge that the total supply set out in Table 4 is 55,278 dwellings, which is from the current supply and new sites, including North East Cambridge. Therefore, the total number of dwellings that the Councils calculate will be provided across the emerging Plan Period is greater than the standard method, which our client supports.
However, it is considered that there may be potential for additional growth across Greater Cambridge. Both the previous and the current Governments recognised the potential of Cambridge to support national growth. The Government has set up the Cambridge Growth Company whose job is to work with local stakeholders to deliver “high quality sustainable growth in Cambridge and its environs .” Significant funding has been provided to the Cambridge Growth Company to enable and shape this growth.
The potential for additional growth to support the ambitions of the Cambridge Growth Company and by extension, the Government, should be incorporated into the draft Local Plan as a material consideration.
Development of the site at Valley Farm, Meldreth would support both the existing growth set out in the emerging Local Plan and any additional growth that is identified by the Cambridge Growth Company.
Comment
Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation
Policy S/CBN: Cambourne North
Representation ID: 211412
Received: 28/01/2026
Respondent: CALA Group Ltd
Agent: Lanpro Services
The delivery of Cambourne North is principally reliant on the proposed new station that will be delivered as part of
East West Rail.
Although, as part of the spending review, the
Government committed a further £2.5 billion for the continued delivery of East West Rail. Whilst this Government is fully committed to the delivery of East West Rail, there are no guarantees that a future government would be as committed. Therefore, the emerging
Local Plan should focus more growth in Rural/Minor Rural Centres, which are considered sustainable, such as Melbourn.
This draft policy sets out the proposed housing growth for the Councils across the emerging Plan Period. It seeks to provide a minimum of 48,195 new homes of all mixes and tenures.
The Government’s updated standard methodology for Greater Cambridge is 2,309 dwellings per annum (1,135 in Cambridge City and 1,174 in South Cambridgeshire).
It is noted that the number of dwellings per annum being provided by Greater Cambridge is 2,295, which is slightly fewer than the standard method. However, the draft Local Plan acknowledge that the total supply set out in Table 4 is 55,278 dwellings, which is from the current supply and new sites, including North East Cambridge. Therefore, the total number of dwellings that the Councils calculate will be provided across the emerging Plan Period is greater than the standard method, which our client supports.
However, it is considered that there may be potential for additional growth across Greater Cambridge. Both the previous and the current Governments recognised the potential of Cambridge to support national growth. The Government has set up the Cambridge Growth Company whose job is to work with local stakeholders to deliver “high quality sustainable growth in Cambridge and its environs .” Significant funding has been provided to the Cambridge Growth Company to enable and shape this growth.
The potential for additional growth to support the ambitions of the Cambridge Growth Company and by extension, the Government, should be incorporated into the draft Local Plan as a material consideration.
Development of the site at Valley Farm, Meldreth would support both the existing growth set out in the emerging Local Plan and any additional growth that is identified by the Cambridge Growth Company.
Comment
Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation
Policy S/GF: Land adjacent to A11 and A1307 at Grange Farm
Representation ID: 211413
Received: 28/01/2026
Respondent: CALA Group Ltd
Agent: Lanpro Services
We are concerned that there is not sufficient infrastructure to deliver this Site, particularly as this will be a sustainable new town, located at the heart of the Rural Southern Cluster.
This draft policy sets out the proposed housing growth for the Councils across the emerging Plan Period. It seeks to provide a minimum of 48,195 new homes of all mixes and tenures.
The Government’s updated standard methodology for Greater Cambridge is 2,309 dwellings per annum (1,135 in Cambridge City and 1,174 in South Cambridgeshire).
It is noted that the number of dwellings per annum being provided by Greater Cambridge is 2,295, which is slightly fewer than the standard method. However, the draft Local Plan acknowledge that the total supply set out in Table 4 is 55,278 dwellings, which is from the current supply and new sites, including North East Cambridge. Therefore, the total number of dwellings that the Councils calculate will be provided across the emerging Plan Period is greater than the standard method, which our client supports.
However, it is considered that there may be potential for additional growth across Greater Cambridge. Both the previous and the current Governments recognised the potential of Cambridge to support national growth. The Government has set up the Cambridge Growth Company whose job is to work with local stakeholders to deliver “high quality sustainable growth in Cambridge and its environs .” Significant funding has been provided to the Cambridge Growth Company to enable and shape this growth.
The potential for additional growth to support the ambitions of the Cambridge Growth Company and by extension, the Government, should be incorporated into the draft Local Plan as a material consideration.
Development of the site at Valley Farm, Meldreth would support both the existing growth set out in the emerging Local Plan and any additional growth that is identified by the Cambridge Growth Company.
Comment
Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation
Policy S/GF: Land adjacent to A11 and A1307 at Grange Farm
Representation ID: 211414
Received: 28/01/2026
Respondent: CALA Group Ltd
Agent: Lanpro Services
The Deliverability Paper that was submitted for Grange Farm as part of the previous ‘call for sites’, confirms that 3,560 dwellings (market and affordable) can be delivered during the emerging Local Plan period with the first dwellings being delivered in 2030. Yet, The Councils’ housing trajectory states that only 2,550 dwellings can be delivered during the Plan Period, so our client would question how accurate these figures are by both the
Councils and the promoter for Grange Farm.
There is also a discrepancy between the number in the Housing Trajectory provided by the Council (up to 300 dwellings in 2040) and only 275 dwellings in the Housing Deliverability Paper, produced by the promoters of Grange Farm. Therefore, our client has concerns that the Council will not be able to deliver that number of dwellings across the Plan Period.
This draft policy sets out the proposed housing growth for the Councils across the emerging Plan Period. It seeks to provide a minimum of 48,195 new homes of all mixes and tenures.
The Government’s updated standard methodology for Greater Cambridge is 2,309 dwellings per annum (1,135 in Cambridge City and 1,174 in South Cambridgeshire).
It is noted that the number of dwellings per annum being provided by Greater Cambridge is 2,295, which is slightly fewer than the standard method. However, the draft Local Plan acknowledge that the total supply set out in Table 4 is 55,278 dwellings, which is from the current supply and new sites, including North East Cambridge. Therefore, the total number of dwellings that the Councils calculate will be provided across the emerging Plan Period is greater than the standard method, which our client supports.
However, it is considered that there may be potential for additional growth across Greater Cambridge. Both the previous and the current Governments recognised the potential of Cambridge to support national growth. The Government has set up the Cambridge Growth Company whose job is to work with local stakeholders to deliver “high quality sustainable growth in Cambridge and its environs .” Significant funding has been provided to the Cambridge Growth Company to enable and shape this growth.
The potential for additional growth to support the ambitions of the Cambridge Growth Company and by extension, the Government, should be incorporated into the draft Local Plan as a material consideration.
Development of the site at Valley Farm, Meldreth would support both the existing growth set out in the emerging Local Plan and any additional growth that is identified by the Cambridge Growth Company.
Comment
Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation
Policy S/DS: Development strategy
Representation ID: 211415
Received: 28/01/2026
Respondent: CALA Group Ltd
Agent: Lanpro Services
Policy S/DS takes no account of the sustainability benefits of locating some appropriately sized development within or adjacent to existing villages in South Cambridgeshire.
Villages of all sizes with South Cambridgeshire benefit from increases in the housing stock: those with links to village can remain or return, new residents can find homes, the usage of local shops, community facilities and schools is increased. This maintains the resilience of
established communities.
However, the draft Local Plan makes allocations for just 265 homes on four sites adjacent to existing villages (Duxford, Highfields, and Melbourn). This is the outcome of a fundamental flaw in the framing of the hierarchy of locations within this policy, which reflects an approach to sustainability that gives predominant weight to environmental factors, notably transport emissions, to the
detriment of the social sustainability of existing settlements.
This draft policy sets out the proposed housing growth for the Councils across the emerging Plan Period. It seeks to provide a minimum of 48,195 new homes of all mixes and tenures.
The Government’s updated standard methodology for Greater Cambridge is 2,309 dwellings per annum (1,135 in Cambridge City and 1,174 in South Cambridgeshire).
It is noted that the number of dwellings per annum being provided by Greater Cambridge is 2,295, which is slightly fewer than the standard method. However, the draft Local Plan acknowledge that the total supply set out in Table 4 is 55,278 dwellings, which is from the current supply and new sites, including North East Cambridge. Therefore, the total number of dwellings that the Councils calculate will be provided across the emerging Plan Period is greater than the standard method, which our client supports.
However, it is considered that there may be potential for additional growth across Greater Cambridge. Both the previous and the current Governments recognised the potential of Cambridge to support national growth. The Government has set up the Cambridge Growth Company whose job is to work with local stakeholders to deliver “high quality sustainable growth in Cambridge and its environs .” Significant funding has been provided to the Cambridge Growth Company to enable and shape this growth.
The potential for additional growth to support the ambitions of the Cambridge Growth Company and by extension, the Government, should be incorporated into the draft Local Plan as a material consideration.
Development of the site at Valley Farm, Meldreth would support both the existing growth set out in the emerging Local Plan and any additional growth that is identified by the Cambridge Growth Company.
Comment
Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation
Appendix E: Housing trajectory and five year housing land supply calculation
Representation ID: 211416
Received: 28/01/2026
Respondent: CALA Group Ltd
Agent: Lanpro Services
The Housing Trajectory is based on over-optimistic delivery rates for major strategic sites, well above historic rates, and is not credible. Anticipated completions for 2028/29 and 2029/30 are particularly high. A more reasonable estimate for sites such as Northstowe, Waterbeach New Town and North West Cambridge reduces the five-year supply to under 5.
Given historic experience of both general and site-specific causes of delays and reductions in delivery rates, notably the delivery of major infrastructure, it is not credible to assume that seven major strategic sites will all be able to deliver at historically exceptional rates.
In order to reduce reliance on uncertain major sites and increase the likelihood that overall completion rates will be close to or exceed standard method need over the first 5-10 years of the Plan Period, the draft Local Plan should make significant additional allocations for smaller developments adjacent to existing settlements that do not require enabling infrastructure investment.
This draft policy sets out the proposed housing growth for the Councils across the emerging Plan Period. It seeks to provide a minimum of 48,195 new homes of all mixes and tenures.
The Government’s updated standard methodology for Greater Cambridge is 2,309 dwellings per annum (1,135 in Cambridge City and 1,174 in South Cambridgeshire).
It is noted that the number of dwellings per annum being provided by Greater Cambridge is 2,295, which is slightly fewer than the standard method. However, the draft Local Plan acknowledge that the total supply set out in Table 4 is 55,278 dwellings, which is from the current supply and new sites, including North East Cambridge. Therefore, the total number of dwellings that the Councils calculate will be provided across the emerging Plan Period is greater than the standard method, which our client supports.
However, it is considered that there may be potential for additional growth across Greater Cambridge. Both the previous and the current Governments recognised the potential of Cambridge to support national growth. The Government has set up the Cambridge Growth Company whose job is to work with local stakeholders to deliver “high quality sustainable growth in Cambridge and its environs .” Significant funding has been provided to the Cambridge Growth Company to enable and shape this growth.
The potential for additional growth to support the ambitions of the Cambridge Growth Company and by extension, the Government, should be incorporated into the draft Local Plan as a material consideration.
Development of the site at Valley Farm, Meldreth would support both the existing growth set out in the emerging Local Plan and any additional growth that is identified by the Cambridge Growth Company.
Comment
Draft Greater Cambridge Local Plan for consultation
Policy S/SH: Settlement hierarchy
Representation ID: 211417
Received: 28/01/2026
Respondent: CALA Group Ltd
Agent: Lanpro Services
Our client notes that Melbourn has been designated as a Minor Rural Centre, which means that it has the same status as its designation in the current Local Plan (2018).
Melbourn could be re-designated as a Rural Centre. The Settlement Hierarchy Paper that Greater Cambridge produced in 2021 allocate 14 points, with high scores for shops and services and secondary school. The paper adds that Melbourn is the largest village in the south-west of the district. It also acknowledges that there is a Greater Cambridge Partnership Greenway Scheme, which will provide better accessibility to Cambridge by sustainable modes of transport.
Our client notes that Melbourn has a higher score than Rural Centres in terms of secondary school provision than Great Shelford and Stapleford, which is designated as a Rural Centre.
Change Melbourn to a Rural Centre in the settlement hierarchy.
This draft policy sets out the proposed housing growth for the Councils across the emerging Plan Period. It seeks to provide a minimum of 48,195 new homes of all mixes and tenures.
The Government’s updated standard methodology for Greater Cambridge is 2,309 dwellings per annum (1,135 in Cambridge City and 1,174 in South Cambridgeshire).
It is noted that the number of dwellings per annum being provided by Greater Cambridge is 2,295, which is slightly fewer than the standard method. However, the draft Local Plan acknowledge that the total supply set out in Table 4 is 55,278 dwellings, which is from the current supply and new sites, including North East Cambridge. Therefore, the total number of dwellings that the Councils calculate will be provided across the emerging Plan Period is greater than the standard method, which our client supports.
However, it is considered that there may be potential for additional growth across Greater Cambridge. Both the previous and the current Governments recognised the potential of Cambridge to support national growth. The Government has set up the Cambridge Growth Company whose job is to work with local stakeholders to deliver “high quality sustainable growth in Cambridge and its environs .” Significant funding has been provided to the Cambridge Growth Company to enable and shape this growth.
The potential for additional growth to support the ambitions of the Cambridge Growth Company and by extension, the Government, should be incorporated into the draft Local Plan as a material consideration.
Development of the site at Valley Farm, Meldreth would support both the existing growth set out in the emerging Local Plan and any additional growth that is identified by the Cambridge Growth Company.
